Preamble Evening all. Are you well. Good, good. Me? I'm dandy, or at least I was until I spilled most of my cuppa all over my desk. You'll be pleased to hear that it's all been mopped up (using, for it was closest to hand, a picture of Jussi Jaasekelainen) and that they keyboard area is clear for US Open final action.

And what a final it should be. The No1 seed, No1 in the world, reigning Wimbledon champion and reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic against the No2 seed, No2 in the world, reigning French Open champion and reigning US Open champion Rafael Nadal.

It's a repeat of the 2010 final at Flushing Meadows, won by Rafael Nadal in four sets. After that victory the Spaniard went on to beat the Serb at the World Tour Finals in London, but since then it has been all one-way traffic, traffic that has left tyre-tracks on a pair of pirate pants:

BAM! Djokovic wins in three sets in the Masters final at Indian WellsDOOSH!! Djokovic wins in three sets in the Masters final in MiamiWHUMP!!! Djokovic wins in straight sets in the Masters final in MadridOOF!!!! Djokovic wins in straight sets in the Masters final in RomeAnd, most impressively of all …KERRRR-POW!!!!! Djokovic wins in four sets in the Wimbledon final

They've met five times in 2011, in five finals, and Djokovic has won. Every. Single. Time. That, and the fact that he got close to tennis nirvana at times in the semi-final against Roger Federer, explains why he's odds-on favourite tonight.

8.40pm: Sporting events in New York are an absolute dream for the musical montage makers. They're spoilt for choice. Sky just went for an upbeat dance track that repeated the words "New Yooooork, New Yoooork, New Yoooork, New Yoooork" to a kind of Eurobeat*. Didn't recognise it. There were better options, though.

*Any mention of terrible pop music sends me back to my most embarrassing moment in journalism. It involved interviewing Def Leppard backstage at Top of the Pops, getting trapped somewhere I didn't want to be and being made to do something I didn't want to do. If this goes to a fifth set I'll tell you about it. Maybe.

8.47pm:A theory: The standout moment of Djokovic's standout semi-final was on Federer's first match point. It wasn't the fizzing return that the Serb sent back to win the point (although that was astonishing) it was the way he turned to the crowd afterwards, arms outstretched, milking the applause, drinking in the adulation. For me, it was an example of the psychological advantage he has over Federer, Nadal and, if we're going to generously throw him in the list, Andy Murray.

Federer must be wondering how many majors he's got left; Nadal, for different reasons, must also wonder how long his body will hold up to the rigours of the circuit; Murray has yet to win one and carries the weight of a nations' hopes on his shoulders. All three are, in their own way, under pressure. Djokovic isn't so encumbered – he's already won a couple, has no injury worries, no records to break or legacies to ensure. He, more than the others, can simply go out and play. As I say, it's just a theory, but I think there may be something to it.

8.53pm: Montage music has improved: we've just had a blast of Queens of the Stone Age.

9.02pm: Right, he's ready now. And out they come. Djokovic in Daz white, Nadal in what a paint company might call Pacific blue.

9.06pm: Rafa goes through his usual jump-up-and-down-at-the-net then sprint-to-the-back-of-the-court routine, as the haunting, almost ethereal strains of LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem wash over the historic Arthur Ashe arena. Wimbledon is hugely stuffy at times, but at least players don't have to call heads or tails while being informed that "Everybody's shuf-fel-lin'".

9.12pm:Right. Here. We. Go. Nadal to serve first …

First set: Djokovic 0-1 *Nadal (*denotes server) A serve heavier than a tractor with Iron Maiden on its radio gives Nadal the opening point, but Djokovic gets the better of the first proper rally, clipping the baseline with a backhand down the line. The Spaniard gets the better of the next, but a remarkable display of power-hitting levels it up at 30-30. Djokovic goes wide with a forehand down the line and another brutal rally gives Nadal the game. Six bruising points.

First set: Djokovic* 0-2 Nadal (*denotes server) This could be going on a while. There won't be many cheap points given away here. Three more hard-hitting rallies end with a superb Nadal forehand winner that gives him the edge at 15-30, but he then slices a backhand into the cord. At 30-30, though, Djokovic goes wild and wide with a cross-court backhand (one of those rare cheap points I just wrote off), giving the Spaniard a look at a break point and a second serve. And he takes it! Djokovic clumps one into the net. A perfect start for the No2 seed.

First set: Djokovic 1-2 *Nadal (*denotes server) Djokovic puts his Doc Martens on and stamps all over the first rally, and does likewise with the second, rough-housing the points from Nadal. He's quickly 0-30 up. A skewed backhand makes it 0-40. Three break points. POW! The first is saved by another exocet serve. OOF! The second is saved by a second serve that bucks like a drunken buffalo … but a backhand goes long on the third. Djokovic gets an immediate break back.

First set: Djokovic* 2-2 Nadal (*denotes server) "SEATS QUICKLY PLEASE" booms the referee sternly as fans take their time shufflinf back to their chairs. I don't know why, but I always like it when they do that. It's a sort of firm, headmasterly tone, but a warm and kindly one too. Clearly feeds into some untapped and probably best left undisturbed part of my psyche. Meanwhile, Nadal has raced into a 0-30 lead. An ace, the first of the match, brings Djokovic back into the game, but after another 20+ shot rally, the pair exchanging sliced backhands, Nadal whips a winner wide of the Serb to bring up another two break points. Djokovic saves both by getting on the front foot in the rallies, but at deuce Nadal unfurls a thunking forehand and then a gorgeous volley to bring up another chance to break. Djokovic responds with another ace, whups down a inside-out forehand winner … but then again spoils his good work with a wild one that goes longer than a Duracell bunny on the rack. Two points later, though, he finally clinches the hold.

First set: Djokovic 3-2 *Nadal (*denotes server) We've been going for nearly 40 minutes and only got through five games. Like an old Snickers, this has got marathon written all over. Djokovic goes 15-30 up on the Nadal serve, and has the Spaniard at his mercy but flails a forehand long with the court gaping. And … Gordon Bennett, that was a rally to end all rallies – Nadal throwing everything at Djokovic, the Serb grasshopper-like at the net and somehow keeping himself in the point with a series of stunning defensive vollies. He can't quite control one last shot, though, and Nadal gets 40-30 up. He battles back to deuce, Nadal swings a backhand well wide to give his opponent a break point and with the Spaniard scuttling yards behind the baseline Djokovic pounds down a winner to take the break. That's three on the bounce.

First set: Djokovic* 4-2 Nadal (*denotes server) "SEATS PLEASE," growls the referee once more, but with the length these games are going it's no wonder the crowd feel they can take their time getting back from the bars. It looks like we might get a quick one in here, but at 30-0 Djokovic fails to deal with a forehand drilled at his toes, then bats a forehand from the baseline off towards Brooklyn. At 30-30 Nadal sucks his opponent into the net then seems to have beaten him with a passing shot, only for it to drift wide in an increasingly stiff breeze, but then pounces on a ball that sits up off the net-cord screams "HIT ME!" and finds itself whizzing past Djokovic. Two points later, though, Djokovic has the hold.

First set: Djokovic 5-2 *Nadal (*denotes server) Djokovic pounds his opponent with a series of hammerblows that Thor would be proud off, before taking the first point with a gossamer-delicate dropshot. Nadal, beginning to look a little frazzled, then goes long and Djokovic almost lazily flicks over another dropshot from the baseline to grab a 0-40 lead. The Spaniard saves two, the second set up by a wonderful serve arrowed down the centre, but from the third Djokovic again, almost imperceptibly, assumes control of the rally and Nadal dumps the thing into the net. Another break. Djokovic has rattled off five games on the bounce and will now serve for the first set.

First set: Djokovic* 6-2 Nadal (*denotes server) Djokovic crunches a backhand winner from the net, but the second point is a worrying one for Nadal – he allows a regulation forehand to slide wide and in the blink of an eye. The No1 seed has three set points … and needs only one, Nadal failing to beat him at the net.

Novak Djokovic wins the first set 6-2

Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 0-1 *Nadal (*denotes server) After a quick dash to the coffee machine for a Product Zero (it's a bit like soylent green, but made from mung beans and papaya**) we're ready for the second set. Nadal needs to rediscover his mojo, but it's almost impossible in the face of this barrage from across the net. In fact, it's not really that Nadal has lost his mojo, more that Djokovic has taken it away from him, put it in a safe and dropped it in the Hudson River. The Spaniard gets 40-0 up here, though, and despite Djokovic denying him a love-game, he gets the hold.

**This may not be true.

Second set: Djokovic* 6-2, 0-2 Nadal (*denotes server) Nadal has stuck on his Speedos, dived into the Hudson, dragged out the safe and taken his mojo back. Metaphorically, of course. The Spaniard really showed his cojones there (again, metaphorically I'm glad to say). He puts absolutely everything into the opening point of the game, and might have won it two or three times before he actually does, and Djokovic makes a mess of a smash to give the Spaniard a 0-30 lead. Another error gives Nadal three break points … Djokovic saves the first two … but not the third, a sumptuous forehand down the line giving him the break.

Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 1-2 *Nadal (*denotes server) Djokovic this time reaches one of Nadal's fizzing forehands down the line and brings up 0-30 after the Spaniard dumps his volley into the net. Then perhaps the rally of the match so far: a stunning display of physical prowess and technical wizardry, full of thrilling attack and do-or-die defence. Nadal gets the better of it, somehow, and then thumps down another unreturnable serve. At 30-30 Nadal challenges a call, but it's a winner for Djokovic and the mojo thief has an opportunity to break back. After another 20-odd-shot rally, the Serb splats one into the net. Deuce. And then another. And then another. And another. Each time Nadal looks like getting out of the game, Djokovic pulls him back in. Eventually the Serb forces an advantage. And then another. And then another. And then another. And then another. And then, finally, from his sixth break point, after game of 17 minutes, the Serb has broken break.

Second set: Djokovic* 6-2, 2-2 Nadal (*denotes server) That last game was the sort that can crush the spirit of the loser. Those jumbo cojones, on show when Nadal dragged his way back into the game at the start of this set, will need to be in full force once more. "At the start of this set"? It's only three games old, but it already feel like it's fully mature. If it were a cheese it would have thick blue veins of deliciousness running through it, and I mean that in the best possible way. With Nadal still reeling, Djokovic holds this one to love.

Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 3-2 *Nadal (*denotes server) "Watching these two play endlessly reminded me of this ad," writes Anand. He's not wrong. But there's something very familiar happening here. Djokovic is utterly on top once more, Nadal's mojo being stealthily palmed away once more. The Serb was 0-2, a break down, in the first set and rattled off six on the bounce and is threatening to run away with it once more. At 15-40 Nadal throws in a double fault and once more he finds himself a break down.

Second set: Djokovic* 6-2, 4-2 Nadal (*denotes server) Nadal doesn't look happy at the changeover - he's chuntering away to the referee. There's a raucous crowd in tonight, that's for sure, and both players have had a few issues with the noise on Arthur Ashe. The pair rattle their way to 30-30, but Djokovic forces the error to give himself breathing space. The angles he manages to find are ridiculous at times, and a whumping serve gives him the hold. That's four on the bounce now. The next game is a biggie.

Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 4-3 *Nadal (*denotes server) "I never like to sound like a prude," writes Ed Bayling, "but I have to say I'm a touch concerned about seeing the terms 'jumbo cojones' and 'thick blue veins of deliciousness' in such close proximity. Is this another reference to the Def Leppard thing?" The way you lot think sometimes. Honestly. The points are noticeably shorter since that epic third game – Nadal is 40-15 up in the blink of an eye. Djokovic, though, rouses himself and forces an error. That's a butteflybelly-inducing 40-30, and a volley so beautiful you'd want to frame it and hang it above the mantelpiece brings up deuce. Nadal – as in his last service game – gets ahead and is then pulled back, gets ahead and is then pulled back, gets ahead … and finally holds! It took a fan yelping out something as Djokovic set for the shot, but it's a big hold.

Second set: Djokovic* 6-2, 4-4 Nadal (*denotes server) A huge return – 0-15. A change of direction from the baseline – 15-15. Another stomping, bullying rally from the Serb – 30-15. A wild smash goes long – 30-30. Nadal drops too short – 40-30. Djokovic clumps a regulation forehand into the net – deuce. A gorgeous dropshot from Nadal creates the space – advantage Nadal. And as Djokovic charges the net, the Spaniard produces a dream of a passing shot to break back.

Second set: Djokovic 6-2, 5-4 *Nadal (*denotes server) Nadal uses his final challenge on the first point, but he's unsuccessful. And he's unsuccessful too with his next attempted forehand pass, straying wide. Another loose forehand gives Djokovic (who hasn't had to do much in this game) two break points at 15-40. The No1 seed is always on top in the next rally, Nadal clinging on desperately but his fingers eventually slip from the ledge and Djokovic is a break up once more.

Second set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4 Nadal (*denotes server) So Djokovic serves for the second set. It's a bad start, the Serb looping one long. He bounces the ball 293 times before his next serve to shoo that point from his mind and quickly levels it up. Nadal miscues a forehand off towards Tennessee to put Djokovic within two points of a 2-0 lead, and then shanks another into the base of the net to hand the No1 seed two set points. And, my word, that is some way to take it: Nadal must think he's saved the first, forcing his opponent perhaps six yards wide on his forehand side. But Djokovic hunts it down and unleashes an incredible reply, one so explosive it should come with an Acme dynamite sound effect, the sort that leaves Wile E Coyote with frazzled fur and a crumpled nose, and Nadal is two sets down.

Novak Djokovic wins the second set 6-4. Djokovic leads 2-0

Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 0-1 *Nadal (*denotes server) Well, what has Nadal got left in the locker? Although, to be honest, you get the sense that whatever he's got in there (gigantic racket, jet-propelled sneakers, magic headband …), Djokovic will have something up his sleeve. Mind you, the Spaniard has taken his opening service game to love.

Third set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 1-1 Nadal (*denotes server) That second set took 71 minutes, but these two have rattled though their opening service games here to love.

Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 2-1 *Nadal (*denotes server) "Interesting that in the Sampras era, with the likes of Krajicek, Ivanisevic and, in the later years, Roddick in the ascendancy, the talk was of the improved racket technology and superior tennis skills having led to a tedious serve-dominated game with people were looking to the woman's game for greater entertainment," writes Rafe Martyn. "How things have changed. Particularly in matches between the top four, it seems aces are at a premium and service holds are by no means a certainty, and as a result the tennis is gripping. Are they serving less well or are their reactions and ability to anticipate their rivals serves just far better developed than their predecessors' were a decade ago?" I think a little of the former and a lot of the latter. Another simply stunning rally, Nadal unloading from the baseline, Djokovic volleying like a dream. The Serb gets the better of it to bring up 15-15. Nadal responds with a booming serve, but he just can't stay with his opponent in the rallies and Djokovic grabs a break point at 30-40. The pair are left battered and bruised by another punishing rally and, predictably now, Nadal is forced into the error. Djokovic is a break up.

Third set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 2-2 Nadal (*denotes server) A backhand slacker than Cletus's jaw from the Serb gives Nadal a look at 15-30 and, for once, it's Nadal's turn to get the better of one of those long, punishing rallies. It's 15-40 … and, like a card sharp with trick sleeves, Djokovic pulls out an ace. The next he whumps to the junction of sideline and baseline and we're back at deuce. "OeooaHH-UR!!" goes Djokovic from the back of the court. "Errrrrrh!" responds Nadal from his own baseline. Then with a roar of desperation he unfurls a forehand that leaves a comet trail in the air behind it – another break point, and Djokovic volleys into the net. We're back on serve.

Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 3-2 *Nadal (*denotes server) The referee has some stern words for the crowd again, but a pleading tone has crept into his voice. The headmasterly magic has gone. Meantime, Djokovic has got his scalpel out and has with precision carved himself a 15-30 lead. Nadal battles back – 30-30. Another minor classic of a rally, and again Nadal comes out on top. Has the tide turned? Not quite – with Djokovic beaten and the court gaping, he dumps a volley into the net. At deuce he bounces back, slicing a backhand to the soles of the soles of Djokovic's boots as he charges the net, but Djokovic then pegs him back once more. These players may be battered and bruised after this, but these baselines will need a week in the country retreat, drinking soup through a straw – Djokovic has pounded them remorselessly. He's at it again, bringing up a break point … but pumps a forehand long. Then he shows his softer side – a drop shot from the baseline so clever and subtle it could write poetry – and then another brutal rally ends, a fortnight after it started, with Nadal skewing wide. Djokovic had a break once more.

Third set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 3-3 Nadal (*denotes server) Nadal takes the first point on the Djokovic serve. Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce goes Djokovic in response. It doesn't break the spell, though, and Nadal is 0-30 up and taking a look at a second serve. A double fault! And it was a yard long. Three break points for Nadal … and he only needs one, an apocalyptic forehand boomed down the line bringing a roar of delight from the Spaniard. That's four breaks on the bounce!

Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 3-4 *Nadal (*denotes server) Nadal kicks things off with another one of those otherworldly forehands down the line – Djokovic must be able to see them coming, but at the moment seems powerless to do anything about it. Nadal races into a 30-0 lead. "PLEASE!" booms the man in the chair once more as the stands refuse to quieten. He's kept commendably polite when he must feel like shouting "OH FOR HEAVENS SAKE YOU BLOODY RABBLE – BUTTON IT! DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE!" The noise is for Nadal, who is playing his best tennis of the match thus far. He holds to 15.

Third set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 4-4 Nadal (*denotes server) If those goes on beyond this set my Big Bag 'O' Superlatives is going to run dry and Nadal is the one whose stretching its resources right now. A wonderful inside-out forehand puts him 15-30 ahead, but he dumps a backhand into the net from the next. A challenge on the next – it was called in, but it was out – gives the Spaniard a break point. "SHUT IT, YOU 'ORRIBLE LOT!" shrieks the referee … he doesn't really, he says "PLEASE" politely again, but it's deafening midway through the next point, the players whipping Arthur Ashe into a frenzy before Djokovic bashes down a backhand winner. He stands, arms wide, milking the applause, drinking in the atmosphere (where have we seen that before?). Deuce. Advantage Djokovic. Deuce. ("PLEASE"). Advantage Djokovic. Game Djokovic. That isn't just any hold. That's a Marks and Spencers hold*.

Third set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 5-5 Nadal (*denotes server) Nadal unfurls a forehand so muscular you could put it in a leotard and get it in the ring at WrestleMania. That brings up 15-30, but his misses a decent chance to grab a couple of set points, flailing long with Djokovic struggling. The Serb is back on the front foot again for the next point, and sends down a blunderbuss of an ace to seal it.

Third set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-5 *Nadal (*denotes server) The referee has now introduced "THANK YOU" to his repertoire. He's increasingly sounding like a malfunctioning learning aid that teaches children table manners. The astonishing is becoming commonplace here – the first two rallies are just remarkable, stunning stuff, but they'd just about scrape into the top 20 rallies so far tonight. The players share the spoils until Djokovic edges ahead but at 15-30 Nadal produces his second ace of the match. He then gets caught as Djokovic reads an attempted pass down the line. Break point … and he takes it! Djokovic kisses the line with a backhand winner. He'll serve for the championship!

Third set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 6-6 Nadal (*denotes server) So, then. After just over three hours, Djokovic serves for the title. A drive down the line slips long to give Nadal an early lead, but Djokovic levels it up with a serve that hops viciously towards Nadal's body a zombie frog. The next point … if I didn't have to type I'd be on my feet. Everybody in Arthur Ashe is - that was sensational. Each man seemed to win it three or four times, but eventually Nadal thundered down a backhand winner. Djokovic bounces back. 30-30. Nadal drops dangerously short, but a soupçon of tension creeps into the Djokovic backhand – that's long! 30-40 and a chance to break back … AND HE TAKES IT! The No1 seed strays wide by an inch or three. So we go into a tie-break …

Third set tie-break: Nadal gets the mini-break at 2-0 after Djokovic nets a forehand … but he bounces back with a wonderful backhand cross-court … the Serb strays wide with the next, though, to give Nadal a 3-1 lead … make that 4-1, Djokovic going for too much and whumping one long … Nadal's mojo has been in and out of Djokovic's pocket but it is unleashed now and tearing the place up. He's a monster once more and 5-1 up … What a second serve from Djokovic, that's 5-2 … but Nadal has two serves and needs two points for the set … Djokovic grabs one of the mini-breaks back after another series of punishing ground-strokes but another one of those rallies of tennis-nirvana sees Nadal go 6-3 up. Three set points … AND HE ONLY NEEDS ONE!

Rafael Nadal wins the third set 7-6. Djokovic leads 2-1

Djokovic is having treatment Looks like his back is bothering him. Let's hope that doesn't affect things too much. He's got a job on to get the momentum back as it is.

Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 Nadal (*denotes server) Issues now. My other half returns from a week in Tenerife this evening. I assumed I'd have time after this to get home and tidy up. She arrives at Gatwick about 2am. She'll be home around 3am. This could be like one of those not-at-all-contrived Top Gear races, but involving tennis and a stack of washing up and no Jeremy Clarkson. Into the foothills of the fourth set then. That's really how it feels – at times each point feels like a mountainous challenge, each game an Everest. If you're expecting a breather, forget it – they've battled their way to another deuce. Djokovic, feeling his side between points, gets ahead, and gets pulled back in, Nadal floating off into the New York air to reach an attempted lob. A wild Nadal forehand and a couple of stunning Djokovic volleys later, the Serb has a nerve-soothing hold.

This isn't great – Djokovic is taking a medical time-out. Doesn't appear to be game-threatening as yet, but he's definitely struggling. The physio is stretching his back out, trying to get those muscles loose.

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 2-0 *Nadal (*denotes server) Djokovic looks to end the opening point early, but goes for too much and wangs well wide. Nadal, though, fluffs a couple long to give Djokovic a look at 15-30. He seems to like the look of it and he'll like 15-40 even better after bossing the rally. Two break points – he shovels the first long and a string scuppers the next, piyonging off the racket and sending the ball exploding long. Back to deuce then. The world No1 responds by finding an angle Alan McManus would be proud of (one for the snooker fans there), but Nadal pegs him back. Djokovic chases down a drop shot to give himself another break point. Nadal pegs him back once more. Time for this again. Another break point … but this time he hits inside-out down the line and Nadal can only watch in admiration and despair. Djokovic is break up.

Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 3-0 Nadal (*denotes server) Djokovic has put on those size 11, steel toe-capped Doc Martens and started stomping all over the rallies once more. At 30-0 there's another contender for the match's Top 10 rallies DVD, a Djokovic lob proving just too canny for his opponent. In the context of the match, that's about as regulation a hold as we'll get.

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 3-1 *Nadal (*denotes server) How can Nadal respond after this? He was playing with more zest and zip than a lorryload of punk lemons, Djokovic's body appeared to be failing him, the momentum was all his … and now's he's 3-0 down in the fourth. Thus far he's responded by racing into a 40-0 lead. And Djokovic has responded to that by sending a sensational return onto the tips of the tips of Nadal's toes. It's not enough, though. It's a hold to 15.

Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 4-1 Nadal (*denotes server) On his serve, Djokovic is back to his best, gobbling up points and barely giving Nadal a sniff on his way to a hold to love.

Fourth set: Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 5-1 *Nadal (*denotes server) Bottom line: Nadal needs to hold his serve and break Djokovic in one of the Serb's next two service games, otherwise it's over. I know you know that, but it's always worth making things crystal clear. The signs aren't good for fans of five-set thrillers, though – Djokovic is 0-40 up after a crunching return, a backhand winner and a Nadal shovel into the net that looked couldn't have looked more sickly had it been sitting in bed with a dripping nose, sipping Lemsip. A desperate backhand from the Spaniard goes long. Double break. The next game could be the last.

Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 Nadal (*denotes server) This is looking a little anticlimactic now – Djokovic waltzes into a 30-0 lead, before Nadal comes snarling back with a winner of his own and then, with the court at his mercy, Djokovic errs once more. We're back to 30-30. A great serve forces the space for a winner and it's CHAMPIONSHIP POINT … and he's done it! Nadal just about helps the serve back into the Serb's court, but it comes back with interest. Djokovic crumples to the deck in delight.

What an incredible game of tennis that was. Tennis from another planet. Another solar system. Just astonishing. You simply can't play much better than these two did at times. The final set was a bit of an anti-climax in the end, but that shouldn't take away from three of the best sets of tennis you're ever likely to see. Unfortunately, or, more accurately fortunately, the lack of fifth set means my embarrassing episode at Top of the Pops remains a story still untold. Thanks very much for your company, tweets and emails. It's been a pleasure and a privilege. Goodnight!